Changeable sign



June 29, 1943. A. T. SENESAC CHANGEABLE SIGN Filed'Oct. 14, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor T jenesac A Home June 29, 1943. A. T. SENESAC' CHANGEABLE SIGN 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 14; 1941 Inventor 4lezar 7 5enesac the alleys.

Patented June 29, 1943 Adelor T. Senesac, Chicago Heights, 111.,

of one-third to Stanley A. Wilczynski assignor and onethird to Robert A. G.. Engelhart, both of Chicago Heights, 111.

Application October 14, 1941, Serial No.'414,944

Claims.

The present inventionrelates to new and useful improvements in signs particularly for bowling establishments and has for its primary object to provide,in.a manner as hereinafter set forth, a novel apparatus for conveniently and 5 clearly indicating the names of the teams using Another very important object of the invention is to provide a bowling alley sign of the aforementioned character comprising a unique construction and arrangement whereby the indicia being displayed may be expeditiously changed as desired.

Still another very important object ofthe invention is'to provide, in a changeable sign ro-..

tatable in a vertical-plane, novel means for re-' taining the device in its different positions.

Other objects of the'invention are to provide a changeable sign of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construetion, strong, durable, highly efiicient and reliable in use, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost. a

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specifica- -tion, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several viewaandwherein: I Figure 1 is a .view in front elevation of an embodiment of the invention.

. Figure 2 is a top plan view of one of the sign units.

- Figure 3 is a view in front elevation of one of the units with the removable cards omitted.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 3. 1

Figure 6 is a view in vertical longitudinal sec-' tion, taken substantially on the line B6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a detail view in perspective of one of the metallic corner caps.

Figure 8 is a view in front elevation, showing a motor drive for rotating the signs.

Figure 9 is a view in front elevation of another modification.

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line III-I0 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view in front elevation of still another modification.

Figure 12 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line I2I2 of Figure 11.

: reception of the corner 7 the tubular braces I 5.

Figure 13 is a perspective View, showing another form of the invention.

'Referring now to the drawings in detail, reference character [designates a horizontal shaft which is journaled on supportingbrackets 2 at the forward end of a series of bowling alleys.

An operating crank I is provided on one end of the shaft I.

Mounted at longitudinally spaced points on the shaft I are substantially rectangular frames 8 of suitable channel iron bars 9. The frames 8 have mounted in their end portions sleeves 3 which are secured by set screws 4 on the shaft I.

Mounted on the corner portions of the frames 8 are metallic caps II. The caps I I include right angularly extending plates I2'which are secured to the bars 9 of theframes 8. Extending between the plates I2 are integral side walls I3 which are spaced outwardly. from the sides of the frames 8. Thus, pockets are provided 'for the portions of removable indicia bearing cards I4.

Extending between the longitudinal bars 9 of the frames 8 are tubular braces I5. Also shown toadvantage in Figure 6 of the drawings,

.the shaft I passes throughopen ngs provided therefor in the tubular braces I5.

Then, the frames 8 are weighted with shot I'I placed in It is thought that the anner i which the device functions will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the

cards I4, bearing thejdesired indicia I8, are mou'nted'on the frames 8, one on each side. One

.of the frames 8 is provided above each of the bowling alleys. In Figure 1 of the drawings, the

names of the different teams using the alleys appear on the cards I4. Of course, any other indicia or matter may be placed on the cards I4. The cards on the reverse sides of the frames 8 may be conveniently brought into view by simply rotating the shaft I a half of a revolution. When this is done the shot I! flows by gravity to the other end portion of the tubular braces I5. The construction and arrangement is such that the cards I4 may be conveniently removed from the frames 8 for replacement.

In Figure 8 of the drawings, an electric motor for rotating the shaft I is indicated at I9. Gears 20 connect the shaft I to the electric motor I9 for actuation thereby. Any suitable means may be provided for controlling the electric motor I9.

In Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings a threesided frame or holder is designated generally by reference numeral 2|. This embodiment com- Of course, the shaft 1 is rotated or adjusted to bring the desired card on any of the three sides of the frame 2| into view. .Whenthis is done the shot 26 gravitates into the lowermost leg of the spider brace for retaining the sign in set or adjusted position. Obviously, the bars 23 permit the cards to be conveniently inserted and removed.

In Figures 11 and 120i the drawings, a frame of substantially square cross section is designated generally by reference numeral '21-. frame includes substantially square end plates 28 which are secured :on the shaft l. Mounted on the corner portions of ;the plates 28 are longitudinally extending pairs of opposed channel members 29 constituting holders adapted. to slidably receive the longitudinal marginal .portions of the removable cards. Extending between the members 29 at an intermediate point are bars 30. Then, mounted on the-bars 30 within the frame 21 is a substantially cross shaped brace 3| of tubular cross section adapted to receive the shot 32. 7

As will be readily apparent, the frame 21., being foursided, is adapted to receive 'four of the removable cards. When the frame 21 is rotated to display the desired sign the shot, 32fiows by gravity into the lowermost leg of substantially cross shaped brace 31 for retaining the sign in adjusted position.

Figure 13 of the t3 substantallysimilar to the frame-8 Mounted longitudinallyonthe upper and'low'er portions of the opposite side of the fra'me33 are channel drawings illustrates a frame members 34, similar to the members 23-and 29,

for the reception of the cards 14, g

It is believed that the many advantages of a changeablesign constructed in accordance with thepr'esent invention will bereadily understood and although preferred embodiments are a'siillust'rated and Hes'cribe'dfit is 'to "be understoodthat further modifications and changes "in the details of construction maybe resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the. invention, what is claimed as new is: v I

1. A changeable sign :of; the character described comprising a shaft rotatable in a vertical plane, a frame fixed on said shaft, means for securing a plurality of cards on said frame, a tubular brace in the frame, and weight means movable by gravity in said brace for retaining the frame in position.

2. A changeable sign of the class described comprising a shaft rotatable in a vertical plane, a frame fixed on said shaft for rotation therewith, means for securing a a plurality of cards on said frame, a tubular brace mounted on the shaft and secured to the frame, and weight means operable by gravity in the brace for retaining the frame in adjusted position against rotation.

3. A changeable sign of the character described comprising a shaft, and a frame of substantially triangular cross section fixed on said shaft, said frame including triangular end plates mounted on the shaft, pairs of bars extending longitudinally between said plates, said bars constituting holders for removable cards, and means operable by "gravity for retaining the frame in adjusted position against 'idlerotation, said means comprising bars connecting the firstnamed bars, a brace in the form of 'a .spider mounted on the shaft and having its legs secured to the last-named bars, said brace of tubular c'ross sectionahd shiftable weight means in said'brace.

4. A changeablesign comprising a shaft rotatable in a vertical plane, a 'frar'ne'mounted onthe shaft and rotatable therewith, said frame including end plates fixed to the shaft, pairs of substantially channel-shaped bars, for the reception of removable cards, extending longitudinally between saidflpla'tes, bars extending 'between the first-named bars, a brace of tubular cross section mounted on the shaft and, including branches fixed to the second-named bars, and shot operable in the brace for retaining the frame in adjusted position by gravity against idle rotation.

, :5. ,A changeable sign of the character described comprising a shaft rotatable :ina vertical plane, a framemounted on said shaft for 

